Other Than His Football Dominance, 5 Reasons To Love Tyron Smith

Receive the latest blue-star updates in your inbox

Tyron Smith is mature beyond his years. On the field, he’s a man amongst ‘Boys.

When the Cowboys drafted him 9th overall in 2011 they thought were getting a solid offensive lineman for years to come. What they got instead was an elite left tackle who should be one of the best in the NFL for the next decade.

Thurdsay the Cowboys took a step toward signing Smith to a long-term contract, exercising the 5th-year option on his rookie contract and paving the way for negotiations on a break-the-bank deal that should happen sometime in 2014.

We all know Smith is a monster, dominating running plays with his strength and agility and allowing only 1.5 sacks last season in making what should be the first of many Pro Bowl appearance. But off the field he’s anything but typical.

5 Reasons (That Have Nothing to Do With Football) to Love Tyron Smith:

5. At 23, his perfect day is chillin’ at his Frisco house and playing video games. He’s more home-body than night-lifer.

4. He’s got a tiny ego to balance his mammoth talent. The only thing flashy about Smith is the elevator in his house, and he always takes the stairs anyway.

3. He’s got a soft spot for dogs. At last count he and his girlfriend had five – maybe even six? – running around the house including the star of the show, a snaggle-toothed Bullmastiff named "Beast."

2. On the nights he does go out partying with friends he always calls a car service to avoid drinking and driving. Not all of us were that mature at 23. Or, for that matter, 43.

1. Even though he has an estranged relationship with family members who donned fangs and deteriorated in to gold-diggers, he’s put aside that unsettling instability enough to focus his energy on being one of the best players in the NFL.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.